5-minute install failing at step 5

  • ok – this is probably not a WordPress problem but am looking for ideas anyway…

    Trying to set up a site at fatcow – I setup a MySQL db & inserted the appropriate db, name, password & host fields in wp-config.php and uploaded everything to the root dir. When I try to run the install script in wp-admin/install.php, I get the following error –

    “The server encountered an unexpected condition which prevented it from fulfilling the request.
    The script had an error or it did not produce any output. If there was an error, you should be able to see it in the error log.”

    I checked permissions on the wp files ( and changed to 777) but no difference. Any thoughts on why this is failing? I’ve setup WordPress several times now (including on fatcow) and this is the first time I’ve seen this not work…but as I say above, this looks like a fatcow issue…

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

  • It does appear to be a hosting/db issue… I’d say maybe do as the message says and check the error logs (or post it if you need help deciphering what it means) – and if all else fails, check with fatcow.

    Thread Starter tandemrepeat

    (@tandemrepeat)

    Yeah – am trying to find the logs now…have left a message with fatcow support but didn’t want to sit idly around waiting for them…

    Thanks for the reply!

    I got this same problem with fatcow, too. Tandemrepeat, have you resolved this issue?

    Question: Are you all on Linux servers, or Windows servers? WordPress will always run into issues on Windows servers…

    In order for you to have WordPress work on a fatcow server you need to create a MySQL DB, which you’ve done, plus you need to make sure that you have fatcow’s CGI tools turned on, they’re off by default. Expect a 24 hour turnaround once you turn CGI on. PHP is considered part of fatcow’s CGI tools. You turn these features on by using the web-based control panel.

    If this still doesn’t work you’ll need to either call fatcow or use their Live Chat tech support option and ask them to check the authorities on your DB. But my guess is that you simply don’t have the CGI tools turned.

    As an aside, Fatcow support has proved to be intelligent and responsive, especially if you can give them some direct guidance.

    Good luck!

    Reyespoint is right. On Windows boxes, you must tell your provider to turn on PHP, CGI, Perl, MySQL support… basically switch on anything you are paying for. I don’t use Fatcow, but with my provider everything was “off” by default, and I had to switch it all on.

    As of a few weeks ago Fatcow now provides free WordPress hosting. Just install and go. (I’d like to think that I’m responsible for that! ??

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
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